Michael Young and the Dodgers, and why it sounds like another fantasy

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

With Eric Chavez now a would-be Yankee, another available third baseman’s name has come up connected to the Dodgers.

Michael Young.

Young would bring an almost completely opposite set of qualities to the Dodgers than Chavez -- he’s consistent, healthy and expensive.

The latter, of course, is why Young coming to Chavez Ravine is about as likely as Jessica Biel pounding on my door and begging me to leave the wife, and the wife going, ‘You know, I think you might have to go for that.’

Still, in an article on Young’s potential landing spots, MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan writes that the Dodgers are interested but prevented from going forward because of -- are you ready? -- an unstable ownership situation.

Young’s current home is the Texas Rangers, the team that recently signed Adrian Beltre to a six-year, $96-million deal -- which pushed Young to DH, and a rather expensive one with $48 million remaining on his contract over the next three years. And since then, the Rangers traded for Mike Napoli.

The Rangers know they will have to absorb some of Young’s contract to make a deal, but how much remains a serious stumbling block. The Rockies are reportedly a leading landing spot.

Why this could work for the Dodgers: Young is a pretty reliable 20-home run, 90-RBI guy who would certainly upgrade their lineup, and he can also play second, which would free Juan Uribe to play third (his better position) and enable Casey Blake to be used in the outfield and as a right-handed bat off the bench.

(ESPN.com’s Buster Olney -- insider status required -- talked to five different scouts on where Young is currently at in his career and where he would best fit. All give positive, if something less than ecstatic reviews.)

Why this won’t work for the Dodgers: Young is 34 years old, and $48 million is a lot of moola for that, even if ownership wasn’t going through a divorce.

In a world where the Dodgers’ payroll was consistent with their income, and they were truly focused on winning a World Series, maybe this deal gets done anyway.

But we’re not in that world, and I don’t think that’s Biel knocking at my door.

-- Steve Dilbeck